I want to sell my house but how can I get rid of all the junk?

I pinched the idea for this article from the St Paul Real Estate Blog which if you’re looking for a house in the area you should definitely check out, or if you just like looking at really great photography you should give it a peek for that reason too.

If you’ve ever listed a house with me you know how strict I am about dumping your junk. I’m serious. I won’t list a house full of crap because it won’t sell easily and it wastes my time as well as yours, and it isn’t fair for me to pretend otherwise just to get the listing.

Having said all that here are some great places/ideas to dump your junk before you list your home for sale:

Post an ad to denver.craigslist.org (free of charge!) and either tell people where they can pick up your junk for free or if it’s actually worth something try and sell it. (Please remember that if you’re selling stuff on the Internet be careful about who you tell where you live. And even if you agree to meet someone at Starbucks for instance use caution. These are complete strangers so take a friend. Preferably either a large friend or a friend who is well versed in the art of punching someone’s face off if necessary.

You can pay these folks to haul off your junk http://www.1800gotjunk.com/. Click on the “how we price” link and if you enter your zip code it will allow you to hover over the approximate size of your haul, then it can give you an estimate of what it would cost to remove it.

The City and County of Broomfield has a day twice a year where you can get rid of your old electronics and household hazardous waste. Dates are usually scheduled on a Saturday in the spring and fall and you have to call and get your name on the list.

If you live in Adams County, check here for details regarding free drop off of household hazardous waste on both May 1, 2010 and September 18.

You can donate your stuff to ARC thrift stores by calling the number listed on this page to schedule a pickup or filling out their online form.

Goodwill does not provide pickup services but you can donate your used items directly at their pickup sites.

This classified ad indicates they will pick up appliances, refrigerators, stoves, washers/dryers, ac units, etc. However, I have never used them or know anything about them so you’ll have to call and see how it works.

Finally, here is another service that you can pay to come and pick up your junk. They give estimates on their website as well as over the phone.

photo credit: ..lauren..

Beth I. Skinner

As a Denver area real estate agent I'm intensely devoted to my home buyers and sellers; fighting for you every step of the way for the VERY best results. I'm definitely not your "typical" salesperson. I probably won't remember to ask about your kids' ages or how long you've lived in Colorado. I don't engage in small talk just so you'll think I'm nifty and hire me. What I ALWAYS remember however, is who I am working for - and that's YOU. I'm on YOUR side; I take my responsibilities as your agent very seriously and will work my brains out for you. So if you're looking for the kind of real estate agent who always remembers to say "good morning" or asks about the little ones soccer game then you should move along - I'm too cranky for you. But if you're looking for the kind of real estate agent who will fight like crazy to help you, then you've come to the right place. And when I'm not helping clients I'm usually walking dogs at the shelter, training at the gym, or watching Star Trek re-runs on Netflix.